Your Move – Chess, April 17 & 18

Combining the rolling tunes of ABBA, Cold War tensions, a board game, and an emerging-artist theater sounds odd, even by musical standards. No, this is not some post-modern retooling of Mamma Mia!, but Bootless’ newest production, Chess.

Chess, presented in concert format, tells the fictional story of a romantic triangle between American Chess Grandmaster, Freddie Trumper, Soviet Chess Grandmaster, Anatoly Sergievsky, and Florence Vassy, a woman who manages one and falls in love with another. Underlying these romantic tensions, a more political game is being played between the American and Russian representatives. In a time tinged red, these characters fight for their countries, and their own attempts at happiness.

“I have a weird history with Chess,” starts Justin Walsh, the Arbiter for the grandmaster faceoff. “I first heard about Chess when I was 15 and massively into 80’s rock musicals. I didn’t really give it a chance, and the uber-electronic, ABBA-fueled sound of the original just never did it for me. I still have that copy…somewhere.”

Many audience goers may know ABBA either through their love of 80s music (and there is no shame in that), or their other brief Broadway interlude with Mamma Mia! What most are unaware of is Tim Rice’s involvement in the venture. Best known for productions such as Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, the lyricist knows his way around his 80s tunes. He levels out the synth with speech like patterns mimicked by principles and chorus alike.

“Flash forward to the new concert version,” continues Walsh, “and I was like ‘Oh…right, Chess! I love that show,’ even though I had never really listened. The day it was released I bought the DVD and CD, and never watched or listened past the first ten minutes. That being said, I have now finished both – and it is truly one of the best scores I’ve ever heard. It took me a decade and a half, but I can now check ‘loving Chess’ off my list.”

Great music. Fantastic. But all of that can be achieved by just purchasing an album. What sets Chess apart – what makes this production, which is essentially about a board game (glorified checkers?), the cult classic it is today?

“On the surface, not many people may see a connection to the show. It’s a cold war piece that focuses on chess. On the other hand, there are a lot of relatable themes in the piece: each character has some strong motivations that I think we all struggle with throughout our lives,” answers Michael Popovsky, the production’s Russian Grandmaster, Anatoly. “[Anatoly] comes off as very selfish throughout the show, but I think he’s spent a lot of time serving other masters, being a national icon and being manipulated by the press and managers, and he’s trying to make decisions to find his own happiness again. At times, I do find myself trying to please everyone else first and that can lead to other problems. Unfortunately, the way Anatoly handles his situation tends to hurt people in the process.”

Chess, on a high level, can get seemingly bogged down with political intrigue. Communism is merely a red herring for the deeper, human, emotions toiling under the surface. The featured orchestra, led by musical director James W. Fuerst, highlights the already frank, and honest, lyrics: everything from heartstring-pulling rock ballads to full choral hymns make an appearance. Speaking of the chorus, the 12 member team heightens the drama – and the stakes – by fleshing out countrymen, spectators, and media-vultures circling the all or nothing game.

Chess is one for the books. Not to be missed. An anthem that must be heard, that continues to resound in this time as much as it did in 1986.

Chess in Concert is presented as Bootless’ Annual Artist Fundraiser. All profits from this event directly support our Artist Fund.

DONATE TODAY

MAKE A DONATION TODAY. Keeping our new theater operating and paying our Artists isn’t easy. Bootless needs all the support possible to bring great live theater and other performance events to you. No matter the size, every contribution is greatly appreciated, and tax deductible.

OUR ADDRESS – BOOTLESS @ ST. STEPHEN’S

1301 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19806
Free parking on-street and in lot (subject to availability).
Bootless is ADA accessible.
Enjoy one of the many convenient (and within walking distance) local restaurants and pubs for a pre-show meal or a post-show snack.